What to do in a car accident

Dealing with a car accident can be stressful and overwhelming, but being prepared and knowing what to do can make a big difference. Here are some helpful tips to follow if you find yourself in a car accident.

Prevention is key

While some accidents may be unavoidable, safe driving habits will help reduce your risk of being in one. Stay alert and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

Avoid distractions like using your phone while driving. Using your phone while driving is illegal in New Zealand and not only is it dangerous and can increase the risk of a crash, it's also costly with a penalty of a $150 fine and 20 demerit points if you're caught.¹

Check yourself first

If you're in an accident, prioritise your safety. Before getting out of your car, check yourself over for any injuries. If you're seriously injured, stay in your car and wait for emergency services to arrive, limiting any movement.

Help others

Once you know you're okay and there's no further threat of danger, check on the occupants of the other vehicle(s). If anyone is injured, avoid moving them and immediately call an ambulance on 111 for medical assistance.

Move to a safe location

If it's safe to do so and your car can still be driven, move it to the side of the road away from traffic and leave plenty of space for emergency vehicles to come and go and for emergency workers to work in. Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers of the accident and reduce the risk of further collisions.

Report it to the police

Any accident should be reported to the police. If someone is hurt, you must tell the police as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the crash. If no one is hurt, you must give your name, address, and plate number to the owner or driver of any vehicle or property that's been damaged as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours after the crash.²

You can contact the police by calling them on 111 or going to the nearest police station. They will document the incident, and this will be important when you file an insurance claim.

Gather information

Exchange important information with the other driver(s) involved, including names, contact details, insurance details, and vehicle license plate numbers.

Take photos of the accident site, including damage to the vehicles involved, road conditions, and traffic signs. These photos will be valuable when reporting the accident to the police and filing your insurance claim.

Lastly, if there are any, gather witnesses for further information as this could help fast track your insurance claim process.

Take care of yourself

Being in an accident can be a shock, so make sure you look after yourself after the fact. Even if you feel okay to begin with, it's important to seek medical attention if you have any delayed pain or symptoms after the accident.

Call the towing company

If your vehicle is not drivable, contact a towing service to move it to a safe location or repairer. Your insurance company may have towing included in your policy or it might be included in your roadside assistance cover, so it's worth checking!

Consider asking someone you know to help you get home and spend time supporting you afterwards.

Make an insurance claim

It's important to start the claim process as soon as possible. Provide your insurance provider with accurate information about the accident and be honest and thorough.

If you're a customer of Tower, you can make a claim online. Once a claims manager has been assigned, they'll share their contact details with you, and you can contact them directly for an update at any time.

If you're unsure who to contact, call us on 0800 379 372 and have your claim reference number handy.

Don't have insurance?

If you're not already insured, consider buying car insurance to cover yourself in case of future accidents. At Tower we offer three cover options to choose from to meet your needs and budget. Get a quote online today!